The SLU Billikens beat then-No. 7 Indiana last week and are now ranked the sixth-best team in the country. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
The Saint Louis University men’s soccer team made a nearly unprecedented jump in the national rankings this week.
Last week, the Billikens were unranked heading into their season opener against then-No. 7 ranked Indiana. But the Billikens blanked the Hoosiers 2-0 and the NCAA soccer world took notice.
This week, Saint Louis has jumped all the way to No. 6 in the country in the United Soccer Coaches poll. That ranking matches the highest SLU has ever achieved before. The Billikens were ranked No. 6 in Week 2 of the 2013 season.
The pollsters clearly thought very highly of SLU’s win over Indiana. The Billikens dominated from start to finish, getting an early goal from Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week, Matthew Wrobel, and a strong performance in net by goalkeeper Jeremi Abonnel to preserve the win.
UNITED SOCCER COACHES – D1 MEN’S SOCCER POLL – August 27, 2024
| Rank | School | Prev | 1st Votes | Total Points | W-L-T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Clemson | 1 | 7 | 199 | 1-0-0 |
| 2. | Marshall | 8 | 1 | 186 | 1-0-0 |
| 3. | Pittsburgh | NR | 0 | 181 | 2-0-0 |
| 4. | West Virginia | 3 | 0 | 180 | 2-0-0 |
| 5. | Western Michigan | 12 | 0 | 165 | 2-0-0 |
| 6. | SLU | NR | 0 | 152 | 1-0-0 |
| 7. | Syracuse | 25 | 0 | 151 | 2-0-0 |
| 8. | Portland | 22 | 0 | 142 | 1-0-0 |
| 9. | Denver | RV | 0 | 133 | 2-0-0 |
| 10. | UCLA | 21 | 0 | 128 | 1-0-1 |
| 11. | Seattle | 23 | 0 | 99 | 1-0-1 |
| 12. | Northwestern | NR | 0 | 91 | 2-0-0 |
| 13. | Stanford | 5 | 0 | 85 | 1-1-0 |
| 14. | VCU | NR | 0 | 78 | 2-0-0 |
| 15. | Louisville | 24 | 0 | 75 | 1-0-0 |
| 16. | Georgetown | 16 | 0 | 65 | 1-1-0 |
| 17. | North Carolina | 6 | 0 | 63 | 1-0-1 |
| 18. | North Carolina-Greensboro | NR | 0 | 62 | 2-0-0 |
| 19. | Oregon State | 4 | 0 | 61 | 1-1-0 |
| 20. | Ohio State | NR | 0 | 58 | 1-0-1 |
| 21. | Central Florida | 19 | 0 | 54 | 1-0-1 |
| 22. | Wisconsin | NR | 0 | 49 | 2-0-0 |
| 23. | Kentucky | RV | 0 | 39 | 1-0-0 |
| 24. | UCSB | NR | 0 | 28 | 1-0-0 |
| 25. | Seton Hall | NR | 0 | 22 | 1-0-0 |
Records shown are through games of August 25, 2024
Also receiving votes: Hofstra University (13), California State University, Northridge (9), Lipscomb University (7), Virginia Tech (5), Southern Methodist University (4), University of Notre Dame (4), Marquette University (3), University of Vermont (3), James Madison University (2), Charlotte (2), Duke University (2).
No. 6 Saint Louis will face another stiff test in its next outing, which comes on Thursday, when the Billikens will travel to Dallas to play SMU.
SLU’s next home game will be on Monday, September 2, at Hermann Stadium against IU-Indianapolis.
2024 SLU BILLIKENS MEN’S SOCCER SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 29, 2024 (Thursday) | 8:30 pm | Away | SMU | Dallas, Texas |
| September 2, 2024 (Monday) | 7 pm | Home | IU Indianapolis | Hermann Stadium |
| September 8, 2024 (Sunday) | 6 pm | Neutral | SIUE | St. Louis, Mo. / City Park |
| September 13, 2024 (Friday) | 9 pm | Away | #8 Portland | Portland, Ore. |
| September 17, 2024 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Lipscomb | Hermann Stadium |
| September 21, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | La Salle | Philadelphia, Pa. |
| September 28, 2024 (Saturday) | 7:30 pm | Home | Loyola Chicago | Hermann Stadium |
| October 1, 2024 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Charlotte | Hermann Stadium |
| October 5, 2024 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | Duquesne | Hermann Stadium |
| October 9, 2024 (Wednesday) | 6 pm | Away | Fordham | Bronx, N.Y. |
| October 12, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | Rhode Island | Kingston, R.I. |
| October 19, 2024 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | #14 VCU | Hermann Stadium |
| October 23, 2024 (Wednesday) | 6 pm | Away | Missouri State | Springfield, Mo. |
| October 26, 2024 (Saturday) | 7 pm | Home | George Washington | Hermann Stadium |
| October 29, 2024 (Tuesday) | 7 pm | Home | Blackburn | Hermann Stadium |
| November 2, 2024 (Saturday) | 6 pm | Away | Dayton | Dayton, Ohio |